£8k 2004 L322 TD6

[Sparkzz]

Would it be a totally irresponsible decision, I've done hours of trawling online and all I can find is horror stories of the TD6 of this era.

Will it just explode and cost me a fortune?

[piecost76]

No, it won't explode!
The chain driven BMW engine is almost bullet proof. The 5 speed GM gearbox however is made of cheese & has a shelf life of 120k at best. Anything more & you're on borrowed time so budget c.£3k for a reconditioned replacement.

That aside & assuming you have got one with a replacement 'box then all the usual things to watch for apply, primarily electrical based:

Seats both heat & move in all directions
Steering column as above (must move in/out - common fault!)
Air suspension rises & falls - check this a few times
No creaks from suspension bushes (it's a heavy car)
Sunroof opens properly
TV (if fitted) won't work as it's analogue
Check it goes in & out of low ratio with no noises a good few times & drive it in low also (may be the car's first time in low!)
Check air suspension again!

Try to go for a 2005 MY with the touch screen sat nav. The older Mk 3 BMW system is not worth a toss now & at that price, I would not entertain one unless it had the touchscreen nav.

Talking of price, at £8k you are at the very top end of what I would give for a 05 MY Touchscreen one with decent mileage, all the toys (Vogue or Vogue SE) and a reconditioned gearbox. Anything less is too expensive - more £6k with the gearbox caveat.

Great cars, you won't regret it!

Edited by piecost76 on Tuesday 20th October 09:05

[300bhp/ton]

Sparkzz said:

Would it be a totally irresponsible decision, I've done hours of trawling online and all I can find is horror stories of the TD6 of this era.

Will it just explode and cost me a fortune?

Don't believe everything the internet says. As mostly people only post up negative stuff and generate huge hyperbole.

£8k seems high for a TD6 L322. I know someone who bought a minter for £2.5k in the trade a few months back. Very late TD6 and top spec and low mileage too.

I would say, do consider looking at the V8's too though. MPG isn't as good, but if you aren't doing a big mileage, then the total fuel cost over a year might not be so different.

The V8's also use a stronger box, they can still fail, but far less likely than the TD6. And of course you get much better performance, less noise and more refinement.

[Sparkzz]

Thanks for the replies,

£2500 is ridiculously cheap for a FFRR. I'm still searching for a bargain, it seems I was looking to pay too much. Doesn't seem to be much around at the moment though.

[grand-one]

I bought my 2004 Td6 in 2008 on 50k miles and sold it 4 years later on 112k miles. Loved the driving position, amazing off road, and v serene on motorway cruise. Only did an average of 21mpg so not a huge difference in fuel cost vs petrol. Issues? Steering column dropped and wouldn't rise, pulled fuse and refitted to cure it! Drivers door handle stopped working which necesseciated door card removal to refit cable, cost £12! At 60k miles it started belching black smoke on acceleration, a service and depression valve replacement cured that though. Stereo amplifier broke but cost a fortune to fix. Heated drivers seat failed, but never had any suspension or gearbox failures.

Best modification by far was a remap by JE engineering which combined with a service cost less than a standard main dealer service. Car really flew after that and was great on the motorway!

[piecost76]

Sparkzz said:

Thanks for the replies,

Doesn't seem to be much around at the moment though.

This seems a nice model:

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic32659.html

Also, fullfatrr.com is a great & v helpful website!